National ice carving competition slated for Winterfest 2014

From a previous Winterfest, ice carvings can be quite elaborate.DOWNTOWN PERRYSBURG INC.Enlarge

Winterfest 2014 in downtown Perrysburg has been scheduled for Feb. 21-23 with a national ice carving competition.

The annual event is to include ice carvings, two nights of music, food, and craft beers and wines. Downtown Perrysburg Inc. is the host for the event which is a sanctioned event by the National Ice Carving Association.

More than two dozen first-class champion professional ice carvers are to compete for $4,500 in prize money and the national title.

There will be two rounds of competition. The first-round, carving a one-block ice creation, will be on Friday, Feb. 21. The second-round will be on Saturday, Feb. 22, and judging results will be announced that night.

The national competition will be open to the public.

“Having the National Championship here in Perrysburg has elevated Winterfest to a whole new level of an event and competition," said Jim Hodulik, a board member of Downtown Perrysburg Inc.

Returning professional ice carver, Chad Hartson, owner of Ice Creations of Napoleon, will be one of five judges judges for the competition. He is a past president of the ice carving association.

Besides the competition, Winterfest will have 60 ice carvings sponsored by area businesses and organizations that will line both sides of Louisiana Avenue.

Community Ice Carvings are $300 per block of ice that also includes 2 commentary tickets to the wine tasting event.

New in Winterfest 2014 will be the creation of a Community Ice Wall made up of individual 5x8-inch blocks of ice that can be engraved per the donor’s wish. The cost will be $20 per block and the wall will be located in front of the Commodore Perry Monument and lit for night-time viewing.

The proceeds from the sale of ice sculptures and community blocks will be used by Downtown Perrysburg Inc. to host events such as Winterfest, First Friday Series, and the Holiday Parade.

For information about the sale of the ice sculptures and community blocks or the event itself, contact Downtown Perrysburg Inc. at 419-872-6246 or downtownperrysburg@gmail.com.

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